You Go First

Charlotte’s mom drives her to school. The previous night, Charlotte cried until she soaked through her pillow. She cried about her dad, Bridget, and other things until she wasn’t sure what she was crying about. She wonders if other people also have multiple problems to cry about. She wishes she “had good news like Ben” (171).

Ben practices his speech for his mom, who says it’s perfect. This annoys Ben because he knows it’s not perfect, so he pesters her for honest feedback. She says he could make his hand gestures more natural. She reminds him to hydrate and not eat too big of a breakfast the day of the speech.

Charlotte gets Vans with long laces as well, but at lunch, she trips over them and falls, dropping her food. Tori (the spelling bee girl) and Milo (one of the boys Bridget now thinks is cute) call her a nerd and loser and clap. A girl named Isabelle tells Charlotte that no one likes her. Nobody offers to help her or asks if she’s okay. Charlotte decides if she ever sees someone fall, she’ll ask if they’re okay.

Charlotte leaves her food and walks away from the bullies. She climbs a ladder to the roof, where she’s never been before.